Seven Prophecies That Must Be
Fulfilled Before Jesus Christ’s Return

Previous generations have thought
that Jesus Christ would return in their lifetimes, but they were proven wrong.
Many people alive today think that Christ’s return is imminent. Certainly, the
Bible contains prophecies that could not have been fulfilled until this
generation.

Jesus said that when these signs became evident, His return
would occur within one generation.

Shortly before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ delivered a major prophecy of end-time events, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. He was asked by His disciples: “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?( American King James Version).

Jesus responded with a description of conditions and events that would lead up to His second coming. Moreover, He said that when these signs became evident, His return would occur within one generation (Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.( American King James Version×). Could this be that generation?

Throughout the nearly
2,000 years since Christ gave His prophecy, many have thought that theirs was
the time of His return—and turned out to be wrong, of course. But
interestingly, there are a number of prophecies in the Bible that could not be
fulfilled until our
modern era, the post–World War II period.

1. The human race would have the
ability to exterminate itself

In Matthew 24:22 And
except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for
the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.American
King James Version×, describing world conditions prior to
His second coming, Jesus said that “if that time of troubles were not cut
short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God’s chosen it will
be cut short” (Revised English Bible).

The main message that Jesus Christ
brought was of the coming Kingdom of God. This is described as “the gospel” (Mark
1:14 Now
after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom of God,American
King James Version×). Gospel
means “good news.” While some of the prophecies concerning events prior to the
establishment of the Kingdom can seem negative, we should always keep in mind
that the central focus of Bible prophecy is the good news (gospel) of the coming Kingdom
of God.

Matthew 24:22And
except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for
the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.American
King James Version×shows us that if Jesus Christ does not
intervene in world affairs, the human race will be faced with extinction. It’s
crucial to note that humanity has had the capability for self-annihilation for
only a little more than 50 years, since both the United States and the Soviet
Union developed and stockpiled hydrogen bombs and the world had to learn to
live with “mutually assured destruction.”

At that time there were
only three nuclear powers (Britain being the other). By the middle of the 1960s
France and China had joined the nuclear club. Today at least eight nations have
nuclear warheads and the number looks set to increase with a nuclear arms race
in the Middle East.

Of course, the more
nuclear powers we have in the world, the more likely it is that someone will
use this deadly force for evil.

Although international
attention has been focused on the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran
during the last few years, little attention has been given to the possibility
of some or all of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of
radical Islamists.

During the ongoing
crisis in Pakistan, the Taliban and al-Qaeda and their sympathizers have
steadily gained more power, territory and influence, making nuclear terrorism more likely.
Consider the consequences for the rest of the world if Osama bin Laden (or
others like him) had access to nuclear weapons!

Meanwhile, Russia and
China are determinedly flexing their military muscles, raising fears of a
return to Cold War–era tensions.

The good news in all
this is that Christians have an assurance that Jesus Christ will intervene to
save mankind from annihilation. This prophecy could not be fulfilled until man
had the potential for self-extinction through weapons of mass destruction.
Again, only in the last 50 years
has this become possible.

2. A Jewish homeland had to be
reestablished in the Middle East

Geopolitically, the
central focus of end-time events is Jerusalem and its environs, what many
people refer to as the Holy Land.

Luke 21 is a parallel chapter to Matthew
24. Notice Luke’s account of Christ’s long prophecy that answered the
disciples’ questions: “Teacher, . . . when will these things be? And
what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7 And
they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign
will there be when these things shall come to pass?American
King James Version×).

In response, Jesus showed that Jerusalem
would be the central focus of the political and military upheavals that would
immediately precede His return: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by
armies, then know that its desolation is near . . . For these are the
days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke
21:20-22 20 And when
you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation
thereof is near. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the
mountains; and let them which are in the middle of it depart out; and let not
them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these
be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. American
King James Version×).

Anyone living a century
ago would have found these words nearly impossible to comprehend. Jerusalem in
ancient times had been fought over countless times, but for four centuries from
1517 the city had been at peace within the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire.
Jews lived there as a minority under Turkish rule. But this was going to change
dramatically during the course of the 20th century.

It had to change for the
fulfillment of Bible prophecy to take place.

The Old Testament
prophet Zechariah was used by God to reveal a great deal about end-time events
and the second coming of the Messiah. Zechariah lived and prophesied more than
500 years before Christ’s first coming, yet his prophetic book tells us a great
deal about our world of today.

In Zechariah 12:2-3 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. American King James VersionGod says: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah [the Jews inhabiting the land of Israel] and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”

In Zechariah 12:9 And it shall come to pass in
that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against
Jerusalem.American
King James Version×He adds, “It shall be in that day that I
will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”

Reading these verses,
it is possible to think that they apply to ancient events, as Jerusalem has
been fought over repeatedly down through the ages. However, chapter 14 makes
clear that this is talking about future,
not past, events. The time setting is immediately before Jesus
Christ’s return.

“Behold, the day of the
Lord is coming . . . For I will gather all the nations to battle
against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women
ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity . . . Then the
Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day
of battle.

“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:1-4 1 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, and your spoil shall be divided in the middle of you. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall split in the middle thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. (American King James Version×).

Clearly the last few
lines of this prophecy remain to be fulfilled.

Further in this same chapter we read of how those nations that came against Jerusalem will have to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Jesus Christ (Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.(American King James Version).

These chapters of
Zechariah are a prophecy about the events that precede and include the second
coming of Jesus. A Jewish-controlled Jerusalem is notice-ably the
central focus.

Shortly before Zechariah, another Jewish prophet named Daniel lived during the time of the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. His book speaks of the Jews’ daily sacrifices being cut off in the end time (Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

(American King James Version); see Daniel 12:1-13 1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was on the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was on the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go you your way till the end be: for you shall rest, and stand in your lot at the end of the days. American King James Version×)—an event that had a forerunner in the temple defilement under Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century B.C.

However, Jesus Christ confirmed this as a future event to precede His return (compare Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate. (American King James Version×; Matthew 24:15 When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand:)American King James Version×). This means that these sacrifices must first be reinstituted in Jerusalem—requiring Jewish rule over the city.

One hundred years ago
such developments were hard to imagine for the simple reason that no
independent Jewish political entity existed in the Middle East.

After rebelling against
the Romans in A.D. 66 and again in 132, Judea was
crushed and most of the remaining Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman
Empire and beyond. No Jewish homeland existed again until 1948 when the modern
nation of Israel was established.

An independent Jewish
homeland was merely a dream for a small group of zealots a century ago. It
moved a step nearer during World War I, when forces of the British Commonwealth
took control of Jerusalem from the Turks in December 1916. A few months later,
the British government pledged itself to the establishment of an independent
Jewish homeland in the ancient lands the Jews had inhabited for centuries.

It was to be another 30
years before the dream was realized in 1948. Yet since then tiny Israel has had
to fight wars for survival in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and has suffered countless
terrorist attacks and threats of annihilation from hostile neighbors determined
to eliminate the Jewish state.

Once again, here is a prophecy that can now be
fulfilled in our time.

3. The end-time king of the North
and king of the South

In Daniel 11 we find an
amazing prophecy about two leaders, the kings of the North and South, the heads
of regions that were geographically north and south of the Holy Land. To
understand this prophecy we have to go to the time of Alexander the Great, who
lived near the end of the fourth century B.C., 200 years after Daniel.

Alexander figures
prominently throughout the book of Daniel, even though Daniel did not know his
name and never knew him personally. He couldn’t have, since he died almost two
centuries before Alexander appeared on the world stage.

But God revealed to
Daniel that after Babylon, Persia would arise as the greatest power of the
region, to be followed in turn by Greece. Not surprisingly, the prophecies
regarding the rise of Greece are centered on Alexander the Great, one of the
greatest conquerors in history.

Daniel 8 gives a vivid account of the
coming clash between Persia and Greece. As you read it, remember that a horn
symbolizes royal power and authority. Persia had “two horns and the two horns
were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.”
This refers to the Medo-Persian Empire, the coming together of two nations or
peoples. As foretold here in Daniel 8:3 Then I
lifted up my eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram
which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the
other, and the higher came up last.American
King James Version×, the Persians rose to greatness after
the Medes.

In Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. American King James Version we read of Persia’s later defeat by Alexander the Great: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes” (Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.(American King James Version).

The “notable horn” or
royal leader was Alexander the Great. The prophecy about his army not even
touching the ground is a reference to the incredible speed with which he
conquered the known world. All this was achieved in a very short time.
Alexander died in 323 B.C. when he was only about 33
years old.

Even his sudden, unexpected death was prophesied: “The male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven” (Daniel 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.(American King James Version).

When Alexander died,
his empire was eventually divided between four of his generals—the four
“notable horns” mentioned here. Two of these established dynasties would have a
profound effect on the Jewish people, caught in the middle between them. These
two dynasties were the descendants of Seleucus, who ruled a vast empire from
Antioch in Syria, north of Jerusalem, and Ptolemy, who ruled Egypt
from Alexandria.

Daniel 11 is a long and
detailed prophecy about the dynastic conflicts between these two powers, their
respective leaders being referred to as “the king of the North” and “the king
of the South.” Of great significance is that whenever they went to battle
against each other, the Jews got trampled on. This was to continue from the
time of Alexander until the middle of the second century B.C., a period of
almost two centuries.

Then, suddenly, the
prophecy jumps down to the end time.

In Daniel 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.(American King James Version) we read: “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land [the Holy Land], and many countries shall be overthrown” (Daniel 11:40-41 40) And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. (American King James Version).

While we don’t have space here to cover all the details, the latter part of Daniel’s prophecy of the North-South conflict describes a clash of civilizations between the leader of a soon-coming European superpower—a revived Roman Empire (successor to Seleucid Syrian rule)—and a leader who is the successor to the Ptolemaic rule of Egypt, which is now part of the Islamic world. (To learn more, request or download our free booklet (The Middle East in Bible Prophecy .)

We now see geopolitical
conditions lining up for this inevitable clash. Here is yet another prophesied circumstance for which the
stage has now been set within our lifetime!

4. An end-time union of
European nations

In Daniel 2 and 7 we see prophecies about four great gentile empires that would arise in the period between the time of Daniel and the coming establishment of the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44 Daniel 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.American King James Version×). Daniel was himself living in the first of these great empires (Daniel 7:4 Daniel 7:4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand on the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.(American King James Version) as a Jewish exile in ancient Babylon.

Following the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C., Persia would become the greatest power, to be followed by Greece (Daniel 7:5-6 Daniel 7:5-6 5) And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6 After this I beheld, and see another, like a leopard, which had on the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

American King James Version×). After Greece came the Roman Empire, “dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong.” This empire was to have “ten horns” and would continue in some form until the establishment of God’s Kingdom at Christ’s return (Daniel 7:7-9) After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. 9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (American King James Version)

As we saw in the
previous section, horns represent leaders or governments. Here these 10 horns
symbolize 10 attempts to restore the Roman Empire to the power it had in ancient
times. Various attempts at a restoration have taken place since the fall of the
Western Roman Empire in A.D. 476. A final attempt is
to be made shortly before Christ’s return.

We find more details in Revelation 17. Here we read of a final attempt to revive the Roman Empire by “ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13) And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength to the beast. (American King James Version)

They will also “make war with the Lamb [Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14) These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (American King James Version). Again, it is clear that this prophecy is still future.

Previous attempts to
forge a united European empire, from Justinian in the sixth century through
Charlemagne, Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler, all involved force. The final
resurrection of the Roman Empire will not be attempted in the same way.

Revelation 17 suggests
this will be a voluntary union. When these 10 leaders receive power, they will
then give their authority to a single leader. Scripture refers to both this
individual and the new superpower he leads as “the beast”—acknowledging it as
the continuation of the four gentile empires prophesied in Daniel, each one
depicted as a beast or wild animal.

Only now is it possible
for this to be fulfilled.

In 1957, the Treaty of
Rome was signed by six European nations that formed the European Economic
Community. Today the EEC has grown into the European
Union (EU) with 27 member nations. Out of these will
likely come the 10 nations or 10 leaders that form the final resurrection of
the Roman Empire. (For more details, read “The Coming European
Superpower “)

Some have speculated
that the 10 kings referred to in this prophecy will be leaders of 10 regions of
the EU that will redraw the boundaries of Europe,
ending the present nation-states. The Bible is not clear on exactly which 10
regions or nations will configure the final revival of the militaristic Roman
superpower—only that this new superpower will indeed emerge just before
Christ’s return.

However, it wasn’t until the 10th nation, Greece, was admitted
in 1981 that any conceivable fulfillment of this prophecy was
even possible.

5. End-time rise and fall of Israel
and Judah

” Israel” was the new
name God gave the biblical patriarch Jacob in Genesis 32. The 12 tribes of
Israel were descended from his 12 sons. These tribes later formed a
united kingdom.

It’s been almost 3,000
years since the kingdom of Israel was split in two. Ten of the 12 tribes of
Israel rebelled against King Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon and grandson of
King David. The Bible continued to refer to these 10 tribes as Israel while the
other two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) that remained loyal to David’s
descendants were known as the kingdom of Judah or simply Judah.

Sometimes Israel is referred to as the northern kingdom and Judah as the southern kingdom. Dominant among the northern tribes were to be the descendants of Jacob’s son Joseph through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh—prophesied by Jacob to be the chief nations of the world in the last days (Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called to his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.American King James Version, (Genesis 49:22-26) 22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow stayed in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) 25 Even by the God of your father, who shall help you; and by the Almighty, who shall bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: 26 The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brothers. American King James Version×; compare (Deuteronomy 33:13-17) 13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, 15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, 16 And for the precious things of the earth and fullness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelled in the bush: let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, and on the top of the head of him that was separated from his brothers. 17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. (American King James Version).

About 200 years after
the kingdom split, the northern tribes of Israel fell to Assyria and were
deported by the Assyrians to the northern parts of their empire. Often referred
to now as the lost tribes, they later migrated northwest across Europe, eventually
settling in new homelands far from the Middle East.

The kingdom of Judah
fell to Babylon more than a century after Israel’s deportation, but its people
were not lost to history. We know them today as the Jews.

The name Ephraim is sometimes used representatively in Scripture for the entire northern kingdom, though it can also refer solely to the descendants of Joseph’s son of that name—prophesied to become a “multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. (American King James Version). Remarkably, this promise to Ephraim was fulfilled in the British Empire and Commonwealth.

Ephraim’s older brother
Manasseh was also prophesied to become a great nation (same verse), separating
himself from the multitude of nations. This prophecy would be fulfilled in the
formation, growth and dominance of the United States of America.

In a revealing prophecy regarding the United States and Britain, Jacob (Israel) said, “Let my name be named upon them” (Genesis 48:16) The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the middle of the earth. (American King James Version). References to ” Israel” in end-time prophecy often refer to the United States or the English-speaking countries of the British Empire or both. Sometimes” Israel” can mean all 12 tribes. We have to look at specific verses in their context to see which is meant.

“Judah,” however, always refers to the Jews, the descendants of the house or kingdom of Judah. We must also understand that the modern nation called Israel is really Judah, made up of Jews. (For much more detail, download or request our free booklet (The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy .)

Understanding this
critical part of biblical history will help us more fully comprehend a passage
of Scripture in the book of Hosea, which is a prophecy about Ephraim (the
multitude of nations—Great Britain and some of those nations that came out of
her). It warns of destruction to follow the end-time ascendancy of the
Israelite nations.

In Hosea 5 we read a prophecy that mentions Israel, Ephraim and Judah: “The pride of Israel testifies to his face; therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them” (Hosea 5:5 And the pride of Israel does testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity: Judah also shall fall with them.( American King James Version). The prophecy continues: “With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them. They have dealt treacherously with the Lord, for they have begotten pagan children. Now a New Moon shall devour them and their heritage” (Hosea 5:6-7 6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. 7 They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions. (American King James Version).

New moons occur a month
apart. A new moon “devouring” them would seem to mean that Israel, Ephraim and
Judah will all fall within one month.

This prophecy was not
fulfilled in ancient times. As already mentioned, ancient Judah fell to Babylon
more than a century
after Israel fell to Assyria. Yet in the end it appears they will fall
together—within one month of each other. This prophecy remains to
be fulfilled.

Remember that Israel
gave his name to Ephraim and Manasseh, the ancestors in turn of the British and
American peoples. As Ephraim is mentioned separately in this prophecy, the
reference to” Israel” must apply to the United States, which is now the more
dominant of the two nations.

For two centuries prior
to World War II, the roles were reversed with the
multitude of nations—the British Empire—a greater power than the single nation,
the United States. But today America is the greater.

“Judah” refers to the
Jewish people, particularly those who now constitute the modern nation in the
Middle East that calls itself Israel.

Here then is a prophecy regarding all
three nations—the United States, Britain and Israel (Judah). According to this
prophecy, it appears that all three will fall within the span of a month. Hosea
5:6 They shall go with
their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but
they shall not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.American
King James Version×shows these nations turning back to God,
but finding it’s too late. Because of their sins, He will let them suffer
defeat and collapse.

This prophecy could not have been fulfilled until after the rise
of Britain and the United States as world powers in the 19th century and the
formation of the Jewish state of Israel in the 20th.

Lest the idea seem
outlandish, consider that Israel and the United States are perhaps the most
maligned and criticized nations on earth. Among Muslim hard-liners, America is
commonly called “the great Satan” and Israel and Britain “the
little Satans.”

6. The gospel will be preached in
all the world

In His major end-time prophecy, Jesus answers the question posed by the disciples: “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? (American King James Version).

After listing a number of signs of the nearness of His coming, He reveals that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.(American King James Version).

The gospel is the good
news of the coming Kingdom of God. This message could not be preached around
the world without the Bible and freedom of religion. Both came gradually with
the ascendancy of the English-speaking peoples from the 16th century until the
present day.

However, it was only
with the technological advances of television and radio and other means of mass
communication after World War II and their widespread
acceptance that it became possible to reach hundreds of millions of human
beings with the message of the Bible. The gospel of the Kingdom of God will
continue to be preached to all nations as long as we have the freedom to
continue The Good News
magazine and our other media efforts.

Even so, during the
last 50 years it has not been possible to reach all countries. The former
communist nations did not allow freedom of religion. China, with one quarter of
the world’s people, still does not. Other nations also try to suppress the
publication of biblical truth and even the Bible itself. Many Islamic nations
do not allow religious freedom. In some countries people risk the death penalty
for changing religion.

But the Internet is
changing everything. It is much harder for governments to control. The gospel
message of the coming Kingdom of God is still going out to the world. It will
finish when God has decided that His work is completed and the time is right for
the final end-time events to take place.

This is yet another prophecy that could not be fulfilled until
recent times.

7. Instant worldwide communications
and God’s final witnesses

Another end-time Bible
prophecy could not be fulfilled until this era of instant
worldwide communications.

In His major end-time prophecy of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, Jesus gave an outline of disasters that would occur on the world scene with increasing frequency and magnitude—to the point where people would be shaken with fear (Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (American King James Version). Discerning an increase in the scale of these events and reacting to them requires knowing about them.

At the time this
prophecy was given, it could be many months or years before people heard about
various disasters—and many they would never hear about at all, much less be
able to put together the fact that catastrophes were on some kind of
global increase.

Only with the
proliferation of newspapers and other forms of mass communications did this
become remotely possible. Yet the level of awareness and consequent fear in
many that Christ speaks of implies an even greater
availability of information—possible only since the development of rapid
electronic communications.

In any case, only with
the technological advances of the last few years has it become possible for the
events in Revelation 11 to occur—for people around the world to see the fate of
God’s final two witnesses.

These two witnesses,
reminiscent of other biblical prophets like Elijah and Elisha, will carry God’s
final warning to the world in the last 3 ½ years leading up to
Christ’s return.

“And I will give power
to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty
days . . . When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends
out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill
them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which
spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

“Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 11:3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.

American King James Version×, Revelation 11:7-10 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell on the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelled on the earth. (American King James Version).

Note that people the world over will be able to
see their dead bodies during the 3 1⁄2 days that they lie on display in
Jerusalem. This was not possible before satellite television, portable
communications devices and the Internet. Again, only in the last few years has it become possible for this
prophecy to be fulfilled . It still lies in the future, of course,
but only now it is clearly possible for this to take place.

Will this generation see God’s
Kingdom established on earth?

We have seen how seven
biblically prophesied circumstances could not have come to pass until recent
times. In fact, the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 was clearly a
major turning point in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, as was the
acquisition of the hydrogen bomb by the two superpowers of the 1950s that led
to the period of mutually assured destruction.

All has now become possible. This, in turn, makes it much more likely that our generation will live to see Jesus Christ return and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. After all, Jesus Himself said that once these things begin, the generation alive at that time “will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (American King James Version).

It’s both sobering and encouraging to think that we appear to be living in the generation that will ultimately witness the most important event in the history of mankind. As Jesus Christ tells His followers in Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.American King James Version, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The Goal of Submission in Marriage

Healthy Submission

Healthy submission is a beautiful thing. I love to garden. This is a metaphor that I like to use to think about healthy submission. Every March in Minnesota, gardening season sort of kicks off and I plant lots of little seeds that we grow on our counter in dozens and dozens of tiny pots.

He is where we get all our life, sustenance, and everything good. He helps us to know what we’re supposed to be like.

It’s really interesting to watch these little seedlings as they come up. They kind of turn whichever way the sun’s going. My family loves sunflowers, so we plant sunflowers in our garden. When they come up, they’re huge and beautiful, and they have this ability to turn in any direction so that they are always facing the sun. I will walk down to the garden in the morning and the sunflower is pointed one way and I come down in the afternoon and the whole thing is facing the other direction. How does a flower move itself? It’s really really cool and I think this is a picture of healthy submission.

For Our Good

Wives bend toward the nourishment and the leadership of their husbands—not because it’s some horrible thing that the husband’s asking them to do, but because there are good things for them when they do that. They are turning themselves toward what is for their good.

Of course, the metaphor breaks down because our husbands are not flaming balls of gas in the sky—they are not the sun. Jesus is not an actual flaming ball of gas in the sky, but he is our morning star. He is where we get all our life, sustenance, and everything good. He helps us to know what we’re supposed to be like.

Seeking to rediscover the full reality of what it means to be female, this book looks to God’s Word as the foundation to help Christian women to live out their callings as free and authentic members of Christ’s mission.

You can’t push the metaphor out beyond its limits, but we can say Wow. That’s what a husband is supposed to be like for the good of his wife. And this is what a wife is supposed to be like responding to her husband in a way that is for her good. It’s not going to harm her, and it’s a beautiful thing.

We wouldn’t take the sunflower and say, “Hey, you’re pointing that way, but you’re supposed to be pointing this way!” and break it off to make it face the way we think it ought to be facing. That’s not what submission is. That’s just coercion. But the picture of the flower that bends on its own toward the sun is very much a picture of what healthy marriages look like. You don’t find many unhappy sunflowers.

Abigail Dodds (BA, Bethel University) is a wife and mother of five children. She writes and teaches Bible studies for the women at Bethlehem Baptist Church, where her husband, Tom, serves as an elder. She contributes to desiringGod.org and blogs at her personal site, hopeandstay.com.

Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. Learn more or donate today at crossway.org/about.

9 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

In the same light as above, I have asked the question: Why did God choose Mary? God chose Mary not because she displayed particular attributes and God said, yes her, like an audition for a movie.

Like the blind man, Mary was created for God for her to be the mother of Jesus Christ.

This profound thought came to me today. You know, in a way God is an adulter, right. Mary was already promised to Joseph but God chose her to be the mother of Jesus anyway. I wonder why . . .was it so it would be the perfect cover.

I wonder if anyone; before the Bible was written knew that Mary was truly the mother of Jesus and God was the father, not Joseph? Isn’t that weird and adds to some of the reason it was more difficult for Jesus to be believed he was the son of God, when all they knew is he was the son of Joseph and Mary?

I wonder find it weird that Joseph nor Mary’s account of Jesus is found, at least in the Bible. I wonder if Jesus looked more like Mary or God?

Jewel was one of the few people that helped me accept me. He was a devout Christian and he aloud Christ to lead his life. He was always relaxed, always poised, always with Christ. I am privelaged to have worked with him several years while an associate with Dale Carnegie Training. I believe he was a poster child for Christians and certainly for DCT. I have missed him always and now forever, I look forward to the graciousness and warmth I will again receive when I see him next. God Bless, please say a prayer for his family.

Jewel McCraryIn Memoriam

In Loving Memory

Jewel McCrary

May 25, 1936 – Feb. 11, 2019

Jewel Benton McCrary of Fremont, California passed away on February 11, 2019, at the age of 82 at 8:20 a.m. at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, California.

Jewel was born to parents, Jewel Blaydse McCrary and Emily Belle McCrary in Atlanta, Texas on May 25, 1936. He grew up in Algiers, Louisiana where he attended Berhman High School and graduated fourth in his class in 1954. Jewel then joined the Navy Reserves and received a scholarship to attend Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. On December 20, 1957, Jewel married his high school sweetheart, Helen McCrary.

They were married for nearly 60 years. Soon after, they found their dream home in Fremont, CA and settled down. His God-given gift was communication, including his skills in public speaking. This led Jewel to his lifelong career with Dale Carnegie.

He was both a teacher and a salesman for The Dale Carnegie Program, and he loved teaching others how to be effective communicators and confident public speakers. Jewel was also in the Rotary Cluband a member of the Unity Christian Church in Fremont and Dublin. Occasionally he spoke at Unity Church and other denomination events, sharing his wisdom and life lessons.

Jewel is survived by his daughter June Jacobs, his son Richard McCrary, his daughter-in-law Laura McCrary, his two grandsons Daniel Valluzzi and Dylan McCrary, his two sisters Esther Feilden and Joyce Curtis, his nieces Cheryl Rasbury, Cynthia Curtis and Anne McCarron, his nephews Michael Feilden and Jeffrey Feilden, and his great-great-grandniece Martha-Anne Rasbury.

He is preceded in death by his wife Helen McCrary. A memorial service for Jewel will be held at Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel Of The Angels at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 23. The address is 40842 Fremont Blvd., 94538 Fremont, CA. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations towards Alzheimer’s research. Please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org.

Jesus said,] “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”John 14:27

A Gift of Peace – Jesus knew that as long as we live on planet Earth, there will be things that can disturb our peace and cause us to be troubled or afraid. All we have to do is turn on the news or open a newspaper to see countless reasons for us to be troubled. Remember the scares related to Y2K, and UFOs, and mad-cow disease? violence, terrorism, and the threat of biochemical warfare?

The hormones doctors thought would protect women’s hearts have been shown not to do so. Food is tainted with pesticides. It’s easy to see that this world and its circumstances won’t give us the peace our hearts long for. But we don’t have to live in a state of despair. Jesus has left us with a great gift—peace of mind and heart right in the middle of this troubled world. It doesn’t come from positive thinking or repeating affirming mantras but from the person of Jesus Christ, who said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We can enter into his peace because he has already provided a way through the Cross.

JESUS, thank you for the peace of mind and heart that you provide for me. In the midst of my circumstances, I want to receive your peace for my life. I love you for overcoming the world through your work on the cross. Help me to keep my eyes fixed firmly on you and to enter into your peace.

A GREAT MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MAKE PEACE, BUT THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. GOD HAS NOT LEFT IT FOR US TO DO; ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TO ENTER INTO IT.D. L. Moody (1837–1899)

The One Year Bible Readings for today are 2 Samuel 7:1–8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48 and Proverbs 15:33.